Storage and carrying case for barbers&#39; instruments



June 29, 1965 noz STORAGE AND CARRYING CASE FOR BARBERS INSTRUMENTSFiled Sept. 22. 1961 Robert Dozier IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent 7 3,191,765 STGRAGE AND CARRYING QASE F013 BAREERSENSTRUP/EENTS Robert Dozier, 1653 Montgomery St, Rahway, NJ.

Filed Sept. 22, 1961, Ser. No. 139,963 4 Claims. (Ci. 2536-16) Thisinvention relates, generally construed, to an improved kit or case whichis expressely designed and reliably adapted to serve the daily workingand other needs of a barber and has to do, more particularly stated,with a special adaptation which embodies simple and practical facilitiesfor aptly storing, carrying, sterilizing and handling interchangeableclipper blades, razors, combs, shears and other instruments and workingtools.

Firsthand and on-the-job experience has repeatedly posed the problem ofhow best to prepare the barber for unhampered and commendable service tocustomers, particularly the ones who are restlessly impatient and otherswho make no special demands on the barbers time and patience. Thetrained barber is aware of the expectations and requirements of hisregular customers but few customers are apparently aware of or concernedwith the perplexing difficulties of a busy competent barber. Withoutgoing into detail it is the general objective in the instant matter toconsider the pressures and circumstances of the hard-pressed barber andto come to his aid by offering for his use an ingenious instrumentstoring and pocketsize carrying case, one having novel ways and meanswhereby the barber can speed up his activities and, at the same time, doa better customer-serving job.

To the ends desired it is to be kept in mind that prevailing barber shoppractice necessitates the use of a set of standardized interchangeableeasy-to damage clipper blades. Generally speaking, seven clipper bladesconstitute a set. The blades of the exemplaryset herein considered areidentified by markings, for instance, 000, 1, 0A, 1A, 1 /2, 2 and 0. Thefact that varying hair cutting situations involve discriminatingselective use of such blades necessitates keeping the blades availablein an rderly manner. To be sure, different barber's resort to their ownmakeshift practices in achieving this timesaving result. It follows thata significant aspect of the present concept has to do with an innovationwhich enables the user 4.0 function in an almost effortless manner byhaving all of the blades within convenient reach and range of iuse. Toaccomplish this highly desirable result, meansis provided whereby thebarber is enabled to keep each blade in a definite place and position sothat it can beselected and, after use, returned to its intended place,thus saving valuable time and minimizing the likelihood of confusion andperplexing delays. 7

More specifically, the means above touched upon serves to concentrateand consolidate the blades of the overall set by racking them in asuitable holder, for example, a simple plastic or equivalent tray. Thisaccomplishment is attained by way of individual blade retainers fixedwithin the confines of the tray so that the blades stand upright inreadiness for removal and replacement. Not only this, each bladeretainer is clearly marked to match the lade which is stored thereonusing the aforementioned designations 060, 1, 0A, 1A, 1 /2, 2 and 0accordingly.

Then, too, the stated retainers, usually simple upstanding lugs, pins,posts or the like, are orderly arranged to properly space the blades andminimize damage or breakage. With this factor in mind there is a frontrow of retainers marked from left to right 000, 1, 0A and 1A, and inaddition a spaced parallel back row ranging from left to right andmarked 1 /232 and 0, thus systematizing the positions of the blades andmaking it possible for the 3,l9l,7h5 Patented June :29, 1&55

barber to select and pick out the needed blade by feel and touch and indue time, to do so without turning around to view of the blades in thetray or rack.

It is to be mentioned here that the Board of Health requires thatbarbers must keep blades covered when not in use and while the bladestoring selector-type rack or holder could possibly be placed in acabinet drawer or the like, it is another object of the presentinvention to provide a feasible and practical storing case. In fact, thecase is not only a container for enclosing the rack-tray and blades, itconstitutes means for sterilizing the same and also the other tools andinstruments contained or housed therein. This result is achieved bycharging the container space with formaldehyde fumes emanating from asaturated cotton ball or plug secreted in the case preferably in asliding instrument drawer which is incorporated in the case.

Briefly summarized, the invention is characterized by an open topcontainer, a readily openable and closable cover operatively mountedatop and normally lidding over and effectually closing said container,said cover being made of transparent material and permitting unhamperedviewing of the interior and contents of the case, readily accessiblefastening means for the cover whereby the cover may be securely retainedand so that a cottonball or plug charged with formaldehyde may beconfined in the case and the fumes therefrom used to keep the enclosedcontents in required aseptically clean and sanitary condition, andreadily accessible means within the confines of the closed case forsystematically p0sitioning and effectively holding a set of clipperblades.

These together with other'objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of a multipurpose storage and carryingcase constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention andshowing the cover in open position;

FIGURE 2 is a central longitudinal section with the cover closed andshowing one of the clipper blades in phantom lines;

FIGURE 3 is 'a transverse or cross-section centrally taken throughFIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view in perspective utilized to show the nameplate.

Referring to the views of the drawing, the case as an entity is'denotedby the numeral 6. As is perhaps evident the case employed is preferably,but not necessarily, seven inches long five inches wide and three inchesdeep. The case and enclosed component parts may be made of clear hardplastic material, aluminum, Lucite or any lightweight metal which, ifemployed, will be provided with a transparent glass or plastic top. Thecase shown is of a suitable grade of commercial plastics and is suchthat it provides the desired features of compactness and convenience andenables the barber to systematically store and carry his equipment fromone shop to another. The bottom component may be conveniently describedas a box or container 3 embodying a fiat bottom Wall 10, front wall 1 2,spaced parallel backer rear wall 14 and adjoining end wallslfi. Thefront wall is provided adjacent the bottom with a rectangular slot oropening 18 to facilitate opening and closing the sliding-drawer 20.Suitable key controlled locking means 22 and 24 is provided to preventaccidental'or unauthorized opening of the drawer. The drawer is ofsuitable depth and interiorly provided with a divider or partition 26defining compartments for combs, shears and miscellaneous working toolssuch as are commil monly used by barbers. The cross-section of the endwalls, adjacent the bottom wall, may be increased, as at 28 to provideledges for the bodily insertable and removable blade racking and storingmeans, more particularly the tray 30. This arrangement allows the drawerto be operated independently of the tray in an obviously advantageousmanner. The tray comprises a horizontal bottom wall 32 and upstandinglongitudinal and traverse marginal walls 3 The combined depth of thedrawer and tray equals the depth of the container or receptacle portionof the box 3.

The cover corresponds in shape and size to the box or container 8 and itis denoted by the numeral 36. The cover comprises a clear transparentflat top wall 38 and a depending skirt-like rim embodying a front wall49, hinged rear wall 42 and transverse end walls 4. The edges of thewalls just described rest atop the edges of the box walls 12, 14 and 16in the manner shown, that is, when the cover is closed. The front wallis provided with a keeper 46 to accommodate suitable locking means 48 onthe front wall 12 thus locking the closed cover. The underneath side ofthe top wall 38 is provided with suitably paired and appropriatelyconstructed and mounted straps 50 to accommodate razors, one of which isshown in dotted lines at 52. In one corner or wherever desired the coveris provided with an appropriate name plate 54.

Taking up now the highly significant aspect of the overall conceptreference is again made to the tray 39. This tray and the facilitiestherein may be treated broadly as an insertable and removable coveredrack for orderly storage and retention of-the aforementioned clipperblades one of which is shown at 56 in FIG. 2. The blade retainers(keepers or holders) may vary in construction. Practice has shown,however, that substantially L-shaped clips may be satisfactorilyemployed. As shown in FIG. 3 in particular, the horizontal limb 58 ofthe clip is screwed or otherwise fastened in place as at 68 to properlyposition the upstanding or vertical arm 62. This arm is preferablyrectangular in cross-section to fit into the usual slot in the base orbody of the clipper blade56. The retainers 62 are arranged in front andrear rows. They are spaced equidistances from each other and in theexact order and relationship depicted in the drawing. With thissystematized arrangement of retainers they serve to accommadateinsertable and removable clipper blades 56. The retainers in the frontrow from left to right are identified as 000, 1, 0A, and 1A. Those inthe back row are identified as 1 /2, 2 and 0. With this construction andarrangement it will be evident that blades having correspondingidentifications will, of course, be fitted and stored on theirrespectively usable retainers. Retainers in the position andrelationship illustrated are important in that they fit the clipperblades to prevent the teeth of the blades from touching and also reducethe likelihood of breakage. Further and as before mentioned with theretainers and blades properly correlated the blades are in correctpositions to facilitate picking out the desired blade by touch alone andoften without turning to view the case. It is reiterated that if thecase be made of other than transparent material the lid or cover must beof transparent material. In addition to the blades the case aptly andsatisfactorily holds and stores combs, at least a pair of shears and acomplete set or working tools. Also all the instruments can besterilized in the case with formaldehyde fumes from a cotton plugpreferably placed in the lower level of the case.

It is believed that a careful consideration of the specification andclaims in conjunction with the drawings will enable the reader to obtaina clear understanding of the invention, construction and arrangement ofparts.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentself) i may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For so by and adapted to serve the needs of a barber; a ponable toolstoring and protecting case for protectively and retentively enclosing aplurality of clipper blades, personal razors and privately ownedbarbering tools and instrument-s comprising: a portable box having abottom wall provided marginally with upstanding interconnected front,back and end walls and defining a receptacle portion, interior surfacesof said end walls being increased in thickness just above the plane ofthe bottom wall and defining a pair of coplanar spaced parallel ledges,said ledges being disposed in a common plane located at a predetermineddistance below the plane of the upper edges of said front, back and endWalls, said front wall having a slot therein to accommodate and permitsliding of a cooperating portion of a drawer, a drawer slidable in thelower portion of said receptacle portion with upper edges of its wallsin a plane even with the plane of the aforementioned ledges, a readilyinsertable and removable tray also located in the receptacle portion andhaving a bottom seated atop the ledges and also cooperating edges of thewalls of said drawer, said tray being provided on its interior with aplurality of accessible L-shape clipper bl de positioning clips, saidclips being arranged in rows and prescribed distances from each otherand having horizontal and vertical portions and said vertical portionsconstituting fined retainers and assuming upwardly disposed positions inthe receptacle portion of the tray and being of a height equal to theheight of the walls of the tray, each retainer being distingui ablymarked with predetermined readily viewable indicia corresponding withlike indicia on the clipper blade which is adapted to be temporarilyfitted and removably held thereon, said retainers being distinct andspaced apart a prescribed distance from each other, there being a f ontrow of retainers and, in addition, a back row of retainers arranged andrelated in such a manner that repetitious application and removal of theclipper blades in respect to tie retainers enables the user to acquirehabitual and conditioned ability which makes possible the systematicselection and return of a needed clipper blade with facility andcertainty, a plurality of readily applicable and removable clipperblades having recessed portions fitted on and over the vertical retainerportions of the respectively intended clips so that the blades are inupstanding ready-to-use position and are systematically arranged, and atransparent cover mounted atop said receptacle portion and provided withkeycontrolled fastening means whereby the cover is securely locked in aclosed position.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 and wherein said cover has a topwall and depending marginal walls with lower edges resting atop theupper edges of the walls of said box, the depth of the cover beingproportional with the height of the clipper blades when in retainedpositions on said clips in a manner to prevent any portions of the coverfrom contacting and damaging the teeth of the blades.

'3. The structure according to claim 1 and wherein said tray is of anarea in plan less than the plan area of said box and also said slidabledrawer, said drawer being adapted to contain a plurality of combs andshears and other working tools as well as a cotton ball or plug chargedwith formaldehyde, and said cover being provided on its interiorunderneath side with holders for razors.

4. The structure defined in claim 1 and wherein the vertical retainerportions of said clips embody broad front surfaces, each of saidsurfaces being significantly marked and distinguishably designated 000,1, 0A and so on for selective reception and reliable retention ofcorrespondingly marked clipper blades.

(References on following page) References (111G1 1; by the Examiner2,982,392 5/61 Bossone 296-16 UNI STATES PATENTS 84 10/62 Marshall 20612D. 157,776 3/50 Naken. FOREIGN TS 1,926,162 9/33 Moberly 20616 5 ,2843/36 Germany. 1,927,110 9/33 Bannister et a1 2()6-16 FRANKLIN T GARRETTP i Examiner 2,685,970 8/54 Springer et a1. 20616 EARLE I. DRUMMOND,Examiner.

1. FOR USE BY AND ADAPTED TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF A BARBER; A PORTABLETOOL STORING AND PROTECTING CASE FOR PROTECTIVELY AND RETENTIVELYENCLOSING A PLURALITY OF CLIPPER BLADES, PERSONAL RAZORS AND PRIVATELYOWNED BARBERING TOOLS AND INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING: A PORTABLE BOX HAVINGA BOTTOM WALL PROVIDED MARGINALLY WITH UPSTANDING INTERCONNECTED FRONT,BACK AND ND WALLS AND DEFINING A RECEPTACLE PORTION, INTERIOR SURFACESOF SAID END WALLS BEING INCREASED IN THICKNESS JUST ABOVE THE PLANE OFTHE BOTTOM WALL AND DEFINING A PAIR OF COPLANAR SPACED PARALLEL LEDGES,SAID LEDGES BEING DISPOSED IN A COMMON PLANE LOCATED AT A PREDETERMINEDDISTANCE BELOW THE PLANE OF THE UPPER EDGE OF SAID FRONT, BACK AND ENDWALLS, SAID FRONT WALL HAVING A SLOT THEREIN TO ACCOMMODATE AND PERMITSLIDING OF A COOPERATING PORTION OF A DRAWER, A DRAWER SLIDABLE IN THELOWER PORTION OF SAID RECEPTACLE PORTION WITH UPPER EDGES OF ITS WALLSIN A PLANE EVEN WITH THE PLANE OF THE AFOREMENTIONED LEDGES, A READILYINSERTABLE AND REMOVABLE TRAY ALSO LOCATED IN THE RECEPTACLE PORTION ANDHAVING A BOTTOM SEATED ATOP THE LEDGES AND ALSO COOPERATING EDGES OF THEWALLS OF SAID DRAWER, AND TRAY BEING PROVIDED ON ITS INTERIOR WITH APLURALITY OF ACCESSIBLE L-SHAPED CLIPPER BLADE POSITIONING CLIPS, SAIDCLIPS BEING ARRANGED IN ROWS AND PRESCRIBED DISTANCES FROM EACH OTHERAND HAVING HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL PORTIONS AND SAID VERTICAL PORTIONSCONSTITUTING FIXED RETAINERS AND ASSUMING UPWARDLY DISPOSED POSITIONS INTHE RECEPTACLE PORTION OF THE TRAY AND BEING OF A HEIGHT EQUAL TO THEHEIGHT OF THE WALLS OF THE TRAY, EACH RETAINER BEING DISTINGUISHABLYMARKED WITH PREDETERMINED READILY VIEWABLE INDICIA CORRESPONDING WITHLIKE INDICIA ON THE CLIPPER BLADE WHICH IS ADAPTED TO BE TEMPORARILYFITTED AND REMOVABLY HELD THEREON, SAID RETAINERS BEING DISTINCT ANDSPACED APART A PRESCRIBED DISTANCE FROM EACH OTHER, THERE BEING A FRONTROW OF RETAINERS AND, IN ADDITION, A BACK ROW OF RETAINERS ARRANGED ANDRELATED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT REPETITIOUS APPLICATION AND REMOVAL OF THECLIPPER BLADES IN RESPECT TO THE RETAINERS ENABLES THE USER TO ACQUIREHABITUAL AND CONDITIONED ABILITY WHICH MAKES POSISIBLE THE SYSTEMATICSELECTION AND RETURN OF A NEEDED CLIPPER BLADE WITH FACILITY ANDCERTAINTY, A PLURALITY OF READILY APPLICABLE AND REMOVABLE CLIPPERBLADES HAVING RECESSED PORTIONS FITTED ON AND OVER THE VERTICAL RETAINERPORTIONS OF THE RESPECTIVE INTENDED CLIPS SO THAT THE BLADES ARE INUPSTANDING READY-TO-USE POSITION AND ARE SYSTEMATICALLY ARRANGED, AND ATRANSPARENT COVER MOUNTED ATOP AND RECEPTACLE PORTION AND PROVIDED WITHKEYCONTROLLED FASTENING MEANS WHEREBY THE COVER IS SECURELY LOCKED IN ACLOSED POSITION.